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Health Requirements for Athletics

All students who wish to participate in interscholastic athletics must receive approval by the school nurse before they may begin practice. Prior to each season, the parent/guardian must register their child for their desired sport on FamilyID. The parent/guardian will be notified at that time if a physical exam is needed. Your family physician or the school health staff may do annual sports physicals. You are encouraged to have your family physician conduct your child’s sports physical at the time of their annual check-up because they know your child’s health history, and can best evaluate their fitness for sports. 

If your child has a health problem such as asthma, diabetes, an orthopedic condition, seizure disorders, allergy to insect bites, etc., please have your family physician note the condition and any instructions relative to sports participation.

PHYSICAL BY PRIVATE PHYSICIANS

If you choose to have your family physician conduct the physical, please keep the following in mind:

  1. Remember that it may take several weeks to schedule an appointment with your physician. Plan accordingly.
  2. Ask your physician to complete the East Greenbush Central School District physical form at the time of the examination.
  3. Return completed physical forms to the Health Office as soon as possible.

SCHOOL SPORTS PHYSICALS

If a school physical is desired, please notify the school nurse as soon as possible. The school physicals are done based on availability. The New York State Education Department states that the results of a physical shall be valid for qualifying a student’s sports participation for a period of twelve continuous months.

CERTIFICATION

Certification is the initial clearance given each time a physical has been conducted less than 30 days prior to the first day of practice. The certification process consists of a review of the athlete’s physical and health record by the school nurse. If necessary, the parent/guardian will be informed of any additional information required prior to authorization of any practice.

HEALTH HISTORY REVIEW

Any student who has had a physical within 12 months, requires re-certification by the school nurse before the start of each sport season. Parents/guardians must submit a Health History Form on FamilyID during the registration process. No participation in any sport will be authorized without certification through FamilyID, which is then approved by the school nurse. Participation in more than one sport requires re-certification for each sport.

INJURY/ILLNESS

A student who has an illness that results in an absence from sport participation for more than five days, or any sports related injury requiring medical care, must be re-certified by physician. A return to sports will be authorized when a written medical release from the physician is presented to the school nurse. If there are any doubts, concerns or questions, the student may be withheld from participation until approved by the school physician.

Automatic External Defibrillator in a schoolCARDIAC EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The East Greenbush CSD has a school board policy regarding Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and their availability in the event of a cardiac emergency on school property or during a school event. The school district meets all requirements set by New York State and the Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act.

Training/Preparedness

  • All interscholastic athletic coaches are certified in First Aid, CPR and AED. Coaches complete training annually.
  • Columbia Athletics has a full time athletic trainer who attends competitions and practices daily. The athletic trainer is equipped with a portable AED unit.
  • Columbia High School has an evening Security Monitor who is certified in First Aid, CPR and AED. The Security Monitor is equipped with a portable AED unit. 
  • An ambulance and EMT are on-site for all varsity football games.
  • Coaches are refreshed on responding to emergency situations at their pre-season coaches meetings prior to each season and are reminded that they have AED units available to them for when traveling off campus. 
  • Each school has a full-time nurse who is certified in First Aid, CPR and AED.
  • All school buildings have AED boxes accessible in prominent locations.
    • Columbia High School, the largest school with the highest number of athletic games and practices, is equipped with 10 AED boxes throughout the building as well as portable AED units located in the Health Office, Security Office and Athletic Training Room.
    • During the Fall and Spring Seasons, an AED unit is available at the Columbia High School Turf/Track area in the Blue Shed.
    • Coaches practicing outside at Goff Middle School, Genet Elementary School, Pheasant Hollow Golf Course and Schodack Island State Park have an AED unit with them.
    • The Athletic Department has portable AED units available for coaches to sign out when going off-site from the Columbia High School campus.

Prevention

  • All parents/guardians must submit health information for their child as part of athletic registration prior to competition.
  • All parents/guardians must submit a Physical Exam Form for their children in grades K, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 as well as for all new students to the school district.

DOMINIC MURRAY SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST PREVENTION ACT

The Dominic Murray Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act is a new law as of July 1, 2022. This law requires schools, students, and parents/guardians have information on sudden cardiac arrest risks, signs, and symptoms. Please note that sudden cardiac arrest in children and youth is rare. The incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) on the playing field is 0.61 in 100,000. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is an emergency that happens when the heart suddenly stops working. SCA can cause death if not treated immediately, and even with treatment death may occur. Immediate treatment is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED). All public schools must have a staff member trained in the use of CPR and AED in school and at all school athletic events. Preventing SCA before it happens is the best way to save a life. Both your family health history and your child’s personal history must be told to healthcare providers to help them know if your child is at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. More information.

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